WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) – A Washington County father and son have been jailed on charges they sexually abused a girl over a period of six to seven years, starting when she was 7; and that the father’s alleged assaults began only after she went to him for help.

James Keith Maskil, 19, and his father, 43-year-old James Earl Maskil, Jr., both of Washington, Pa., were arrested Thursday.

“I hope she’s able to get by this or past this, which, it’s never going to happen, but hopefully she’ll get strong and back to her daily life,” said Jody Maxwell, a friend of the victim’s.

Washington Police say the girl was just 6-years-old when she was first raped by James Maskil.

The abuse allegedly took place multiple times at her home in Washington.

When the girl told his father about the abuse, police say he promised to “take care of it,” but later asked the girl for details of the abuse before forcing her to perform similar acts.

County welfare workers began investigating after the girl told school officials recently about the incidents.

The son is facing rape charges and his father is facing indecent assault charges. Both are in the Washington County Jail on $50,000 bond.